"How long should I have to wait to get an appointment?"
A doctor’s surgery must offer you an appointment within two working days from the point of contact. Many surgeries will also allow you to book an appointment further in advance.

I have just received the "Which" magazine and thought all of you who have problems getting a doctors appointment may like to see this. Interesting, isn't it?
Jeanxxxx

Yes, our surgery will offer you an on-the-day appt if you ring up early morning, or one for up to two days later. You can also book them for a few weeks in advance. I know they try their hardest to keep within these guidelines, but they're so busy and overworked. We only have the one practice in our village of nearly 10,000 inhabitants. The docs are really great, I'm so grateful to them all.

Lyn

Wow!!! here in London you are lucky when they actually speak to you, let alone on first name terms!!! on average unless you ask for an emergenmcy appt, which is phoning after 10am for morning or after 4pm for evening appt, we can wait up to a week for a normal appt with one of the gps. If you ask for a specific doctor it could be up to 3 weeks!!!

Ours is only a small practice, so it`s always possible to get a same-day appointment if you phone early morning; failing that they will give you one the next day. We can book certain times of the day weeks in advance if we want to. GP rings me at home with any results as and when they come in - we are extremely lucky here, as all the practice staff are really good, and will put themselves out for you.

Kathleen x